However in our target price range (sub $300), there are a handful
of blades on the market which come at least reasonably close to the 'real thing' in terms of
their appearance, functionality and handling.

And quite a few more that use modern spring tempered steels to create
amazingly tough 'Dojo Quality', frequent use Japanese style "beaters"
if you will...!

On this page we will take a look at them all -
including cheap swords that often get glossed over by the elitists -
you name it, we put them all to the test.

For more in-depth discussions of the various types of Katana we talk about here, follow the links - this is just an overview...

You don't need to memorize everything all at once, indeed you should find that our reviews and articles are written to reinforce and teach you as you go, but with so much to learn - every little bit helps.

Do you know how much these swords are worth?

Do you know how much these swords are worth? $30? $300? $3,000? Or more? It's hard to tell - this kind of mounting is called 'Shirasaya' and is used to house a blade. But the value of the blade can vary? How much do you think this set is worth? Can you tell? For a discussion of real katana prices, click here

But for now, let's take a look at the most common
and misrepresented types of Japanese style 'swords' on the market
place, of which there are probably more of these available than any
other type of sword around.

Stainless steel Japanese style sword
like objects - which are about as far removed from authentic Japanese swords as night is from day..

Worthless Swords to Avoid...

The overwhelming majority of cheap Japanese style swords
being sold online are not in any way functional. Sure, they are made of
steel and yes, some of them might even be sharp - but sharpness alone
doesn't mean very much if the blade bends or snaps on the first
strike...

Now don't get me wrong, there is nothing wrong with
buying some nice looking Samurai sword sets to display over the
mantelpiece, etc.

The only problem is that many people who believe they
are starting a collection of authentic Japanese swords aren't getting
what they think they paid for, as the following rather infamous "home shopping network" video plainly shows...

The infamous home shopping network outtake

Swords like this are a dime a dozen, overpriced and definitely nothing like what you would expect from authentic Japanese swords..

Hands on Reviews

Featured Review

"Bushido Series"

Musashi/Musha Swords

Price Range: $59.99

OVERVIEW: A very detailed, hands on look at TWO swords from the Musashi Swords 'Bushido Musashi' Series. One didn't quite make the cut. But the other, was surprising for it's low price point. There ARE some jewels in the junk..

Type II: Katana with "Hamon", the most Authentic Japanese Swords

There are several main techniques used when forging authentic Japanese swords that none of the blades we have look at so far usually have..

Folding (aka Damascus) and lamination are two of the more advanced techniques, though with modern steels, they are largely obsolete practices.

Indeed, many entry level Damascus Swords are some of the worst swords you can buy - see our related articles "Damascus Sucks" and how some swords being advertised as laminated swords end up being Damascus swords anyway with no lamination in sight with the review "Ryan Sword - the 'Sanmai' Katana review"..

But there is at least one feature that all authentic Japanese swords have in common, and that is the famous tempering line known as the HAMON - which is achieved by claying the blade and tempering it so that the edge is harder than the spine..

You can read much more about what makes this technique special here - but in the meantime, as before, here is a list of our in depth, hands on reviews and cutting tests.

Hands on Reviews

And Finally,

RYUJIN CUSTOM KATANA

Finally, inspired by the SBG Custom Katana (a project that is currently on indefinite hold due to supply chain issues) - one of the most exciting
sword projects that started in 2015 and came to fruition in 2016 is the Ryujin Custom Katana line which
was the brain child of one of the founders of Musashi Swords, Mr Sam
Sung..

Using the same style of T10 tool steel sword as the SBG
Custom Katana, the number of options are less - but what makes them
revolutionary is how FAST they are made because, instead of being forged from scratch in China and taking 3-6 months to arrive, the components are stocked and assembled in the
USA so can be sent out in as little as one week..!!

But it is not just the speed of customizaton that makes them good. They cut pretty well too - with the most basic model close to the $200 price point, proving to be surprisingly durable..

Check out the review below to see for yourself.

"Ryujin Custom Katana"

Price Range: $229-599

Designed by Sam Sung, one of the co-founders of Musashi Swords, these swords are not just the fastest, most reliable way to get a customized sword, but they proved to be extremely durable and highly effective cutters with some real surprises..

Type III: Heavy Duty Beaters

"Beaters" - or relatively inexpensive, but very TOUGH Katana for dojo and backyard cutting practices are a fairly recent development.

Instead of being differentially hardened with a real hamon like authentic Japanese swords have always been made, they are what is called "Monotempered" so the blades can take a lot of punishment and if bent, spring back to true...

While they may not be authentic Japanese swords, they are a lot of fun - suitable both for the dojo and the backyard. And being so forgiving of poor technique or mishaps, are highly recommended for beginners..

We explore the world of these "beater" Katana in full detail here. But in the meantime, here are some all time classics..

Hands on Reviews

Pretty much all of these swords cut the mustard. But one came out head and shoulders above the rest..

The blades are extremely tough and expertly tempered. The fittings, the best of any sword below $300. And their powerful, thick Dotanuki (Torso cutting - i.e. cut a man in half style) blades can cut through almost anything put in front of them without breaking a sweat..

They are the Dojo Pro series by Ronin Katana.

Check the video and the detailed hands on review and testing to see why this proven brand has become so popular...

Featured Review

"Dojo Pro Katana"

Ronin Katana

Price Range: $294-344

OVERVIEW: I've had more insight into how these swords are made than any other, from the forge where they are made to the backyard. And I have to say, I am yet to encounter a sword as decently made as these anywhere near this price point. Highly recommended.

Hands on Reviews

One Final Very Important Word Regarding Quality and High End Swords

Most of the swords we have looked at so far are great value for money. Many are hand made, with each sword starting as a lump of iron and going through many different processes with many hours of hard work going into every piece. Many are actually thrown away by QC at various stages of the process, and it has been said that to make one decent hand made sword takes 2-3 failures that never leave the forge.

At the end of the day ALL sub US$300 Japanese swords, be
they dojo level swords with real hamon, monotempered beaters or simply cheap machine made 1045 carbon steel knockoffs have
one thing in common - despite how well they might perform,
they are still NOT truly authentic Japanese swords and will never be "perfect"...

With the proliferation of these bare basic Japanese
style swords, it is unfair (and unreasonable) to compare them to a high
level $1,500-$2000 production sword or (heaven forbid) a real
Shinken/Nihonto (Authentic Japanese swords made in Japan by a master smith).

Kid in a Candy Store: the author checking out authentic Japanese swords in Osaka, Japan. Average price, $4000..

Sure, if you are looking for a decent cutter for dojo
applications, backyard cutting or a functional sword for display
purposes (after all, a display sword that will fall apart if swung
through the air is more embarrassing than impressive) - these swords
will all meet (and probably exceed!) your requirements.

But that said, ALL
OF THEM HAVE THEIR ISSUES, especially when compared to truly
authentic Japanese swords in the US$1000+ price range. They simply
aren't in the same league - it's like comparing a Ferrari to a Pinto...!

Most
issues you will encounter with major, respectable sword brands are
minor and are purely cosmetic. And when a truly flawed sword does
sometimes sneak past QC, they are usually pretty good about getting it
exchanged or refunded depending on what the customer wants to do.

But
if a minor tool mark that did not polish out completely is the kind of
thing that will keep you up at nights, you need to double or triple your
budget at the very least..

As the major difference between high
end Katana and the kind of swords we have looked at so far is simply -
refinement. More time and better materials = a higher price tag.

Click
here to read more about what separates basic entry to mid level Katana
from the high end - it has more to do with REFINEMENT and very little to do with durability (the $300
price point beaters we looked at earlier are some of the toughest
around, click here to read a review of a $2000 Katana I bent trying to cut a tough target that the $300 beaters would handle with ease).

In the meantime, here is a review of two of our mid to our own high end Katana to give you an idea of what is possible..

Forge Direct Custom Katana

Forge Direct

Price Range: $899

OVERVIEW: Custom made swords at a set price made by Master Smiths - this review takes a close look at two designs I had made, and is a good idea of what you get when you spend more..

Further Resources

To help you find more information on authentic Japanese swords we put together a list of Japanese sword sites which lists only the best Japanese sword sites on the web,
whether its for more information or buying a Katana from $20 to
$20,000.. Concise, and to the point (with no dead links, these sites are
SOLID and have been around for years), it's a doorway to a veritable
wealth of extra information..

For Japanese sword training techniques, click the link - it contains a quick run down of the etiquette, basic cutting techniques and a free ebook to get you started if you can't find a dojo nearby or are simply curious.

There's also an absolute mountain of information on
authentic Japanese swords over at the various Sword Forums - just using the search function there
will uncover an absolute goldmine of useful info, user reviews and
more. Check it out - highly recommended, though almost as addictive as
collecting authentic Japanese swords! ;-)